The Elk Grove Police Department announced today they have been awarded a $220,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

The grant will be used for a one year-long program of special enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries. EGPD will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

“The Elk Grove Police Department is dedicated to improving traffic flow, pedestrian safety and working to keep all drivers on Elk Grove's streets safe,” Traffic Bureau Lt. Eric White said. “I want to personally thank OTS for their continued partnership and support in reaching the goal of making our roads safer for our community.”

According to Elk Grove Police, after a ten year low in 2010, the number of roadway fatalities has risen 17 percent across the state, with 3,429 fatalities in 2015. Among roadway deaths, there has been an alarming rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities accounting for nearly 25 percent of all traffic deaths, along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies and the emergence of drug-impaired driving.

The Elk Grove Police will use the grant money for the following activities:

·DUI checkpoints

·DUI saturation patrols

·Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement

·Motorcycle safety enforcement

·Distracted driving enforcement

·Speed, red light, and stop sign enforcement

“Unsafe behaviors account for 94 percent of traffic crashes,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “This grant emphasizes the two most effective ways to change behaviors – education and enforcement. The Elk Grove Police Department, with assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will use these tools to help keep Elk Grove streets safe.”